Parliament in lockdown ahead of law changes

by dburdon

Daniel BurdonDaniel Burdon is APN Australian Regional Media's Canberra bureau reporter, covering federal parliament and politics. He was previously a rural and general news reporter at the Morning Bulletin in Rockhampton and worked in Alice Springs for the Centralian Advocate.

MORE federal police are patrolling Parliament House after security was again increased as the Abbott Government prepares to pass changes to national security laws.

Security was increased outside the House in Canberra last week, after intelligence agencies two weeks ago raised the national terrorism public alert to "high".

And as federal politicians came to Canberra for the latest sittings week, with the Senate preparing to consider national security laws, the ministerial wing at parliament House was put on higher security measures.

Among them, checks on who and how they can access the ministerial wing in parliament House have been increased, while black screens have been erected at key places to prevent the public seeing directly into the wing and Prime Minister's courtyard.

The added security measures follow a loosening of security at the House earlier this year, which was revoked after concerns were raised that security was not tight enough.

However, measures enacted in preparation for sittings this week have not changed the functions of the parliament, with work continuing as usual.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is expected to address the House during Question Time this afternoon on both security measures and proposed reforms to national security laws that are expected to be debated in the Senate this week.